Orioles heighten playoff push with 3rd-straight win against Rays, 10-2

After the Orioles traded Adley Rutschman, Taylor Ward, Tyler Wells and Dean Kremer before the August 3rd deadline, it was difficult to imagine them winning three straight games against a first-place team or moving into playoff position. On Sunday, they accomplished both.

Down 1-0 through four innings, the Orioles’ bats exploded for 10 combined runs in the fifth and sixth on their way to a third-straight win against the first-place Rays, 10-2.

At the conclusion of the game, the 61-63 Orioles were tied with the Texas Rangers for the American League’s third wild-card spot. And after Texas and Toronto both lost, the Orioles held sole possession of the third wild-card spot by Sunday evening. Six teams — Baltimore, Texas, Toronto, Detroit, Minnesota and Cleveland — have either 60 or 61 wins.

In the fifth, a Jackson Holliday two-out single scored Leody Taveras and tied the score, 1-1. It was followed by a Pete Alonso two-run double, giving the Orioles a 3-1 lead.

The O’s offense exploded further in the sixth. Again with two outs, Colton Cowser hit a two-run home run, also scoring Taveras. After a Coby Mayo single and Yohel Pozo walk, Jackson Holliday doubled in two more runs. Alonso and Gunnar Henderson then walked and were driven in by Christian Encarnacion-Strand to give Baltimore a 10-1 lead.

Cower’s homer and both of Holliday’s RBI hits came in 1-2 counts against left-handed pitchers. Manager Craig Albernaz was especially impressed with Holliday’s ability to adjust his swing mechanics on the fly.

“The biggest thing that’s been standing out with Holliday … the ability to make adjustments from pitch to pitch,” Albernaz told reporters after the game. “If he feels something off, if he’s opening up too soon, whatever it is, he does a great job of recognizing and feeling his body and making the adjustment on the next swing, which is extremely impressive for any hitter, but especially a young hitter like Jackson.”

Trevor Rogers turned in a quality start of six innings and two earned runs, walking one and striking out six. Alex Hoppe, Grant Wolfram and Albert Suárez each threw scoreless innings to finish the game.

The Orioles will attempt to sweep the four-game series and win their seventh-straight game against the Rays on Monday at Tropicana Field. Brandon Young is scheduled to start Monday for the O’s. Left-hander and Baltimore native Shane McClanahan is set to return from the injured list and start for Tampa Bay.

A win Monday would put the Orioles one game below .500 for the first time since May 1st. Baltimore returns home Tuesday for a crucial six-game homestand against the Yankees and Rays.

“We really believe we can play with anybody, you have to believe that, I truly believe that, and the guys in that room believe it most importantly,” Albernaz told reporters after the game.

Basallo begins rehab at Norfolk

Catcher Samuel Basallo played in his first rehab game at Triple-A Norfolk Sunday, doubling in four at-bats and driving in three runs. Basallo has been battling right shoulder inflammation and last played for the Orioles on July 19th. Basallo caught six innings before being replaced by Creed Willems. Michael Forret, re-acquired by the Orioles for Tyler Wells from Tampa Bay on August 3rd, started for Norfolk and allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits in five innings.